What Are The Main Benefits Of Solar Panels?

From a homeowner's perspective, the main benefits of solar panels revolve around cost savings.

By using the sun's energy to effectively create your own electricity, you can expect to save up to hundreds of pounds each year on your energy bills.

Of course though, there are benefits to the environment too.

Solar power is a form of renewable energy, so its use reduces the strain on exhaustible materials like coal and oil - materials which are fast running out.

More significantly, solar power doesn't pollute the earth's atmosphere with harmful emissions in the same way that coal and oil do. Once fitted, solar panels emit no pollution whatsoever, and only the construction and installation process contribute to the Earth's carbon footprint.

Solar panels are, in fact, the most environmentally friendly of all available renewable technologies.

While these environmental reasons should perhaps be sufficient for everyone to consider solar panels for their home, the plain reality is that convenience comes first. That's why most people still drive petrol or diesel cars rather than greener LPG or electric options.

So, what are the benefits to the homeowner - beyond a few hundred pounds off your electricity bill...

Benefits of Solar Panels for Homeowners

Solar panel installations (sometimes referred to as photo voltaic installations) are pretty much maintenance free. So once they are installed, they'll generate electricity for years without any additional investment or maintenance cost.

There are no moving parts and little to go wrong - meaning the lifespan of the installation is considerably longer than typical energy sources.

What's more though, your solar installation can actually EARN you money as well as save it.

That's because Government schemes, set up to encourage the use of renewable technology, make it compulsory for energy suppliers to pay homeowners for any electricity they produce themselves.

Not only do they have to pay this 'generation tariff', they will also pay you for any electricity you generate but don't consume. This export tariff means you effectively get paid twice for the electricity you produce - on top of your bill savings.

Other Benefits of Solar Power

The nature of solar power makes distance from the grid an irrelevance - so there's virtually nowhere in the world that solar wouldn't work!

Indeed, solar panel installations have been known to bring energy to areas that would otherwise have to go without - for example mountainous regions in which it would be virtually impossible to lay any length of power cable.

And finally - as if any more benefits were needed - solar panels help make power cuts a thing of the past. Solar energy stores up through the day, ready for you to use when you require it, so while the electricity cuts out at your neighbours' homes, you've got all the heat, light and television you need!